Magnetic Places Artist Development Series 2026

These 5 professional development workshops have been curated for local artists and cultural practitioners looking to build knowledge and skills in the practice of community arts and cultural development (CACD) and seeking creative funding.

These hands-on sessions will provide foundational skills and knowledge in CACD practice, guidance in how to develop a project proposal for the Magnetic Places Grants Program and legal rights and responsibilities when receiving public funding.  

Reserve your free place now for one or all 5 of the Magnetic Places Artist Development Series Workshops! Light catering will be provided. Don’t miss out on your chance to elevate your practice and connect with like-minded peers. 

NOTE: Magnetic Places and Creative Communities Grants will be opening from Monday 6 to Friday 31 July 2026! 

Workshop Details:

Thursday 23 April | Foundations of Community Arts and Cultural Development Part 1 | Workshop 1

This fantastic 2-part workshop facilitated by CuriousWorks will introduce you to core principles and the practice of community arts and cultural development, and how to apply this when working with communities!

Thursday 14 May | Foundations of Community Arts and Cultural Development Part 2 | Workshop 2

Don’t miss the second workshop delivered by CuriousWorks continuing your introduction to community arts and cultural development core principles and practices.

Thursday 11 June | Funding Fundamentals: From grants to procurement, getting the process right | Workshop 3 

Understand how to write applications, how to get the money right and how to acquit your funding, including recovering from setbacks! Facilitated by Creative Plus Business.

Thursday 18 June | From Concept to Pitch – online grant writing information session | Workshop 4 

Presented by Penrith City Council, this session will provide key information and assistance to shape up prospective grant applications

Thursday 17 September | The Art of Law: Understanding grant legalities, IP and ICIP | Workshop 5 

Facilitated by Creative Plus Business, this workshop will provide you with critical information needed to ensure you understand your rights and responsibilities as a grant recipient. You will learn about the basics of intellectual property and why it’s important; copyright, contracts, Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, Moral Rights and co-authorship practices. 

Facilitator Information:

CuriousWorks 

CuriousWorks exists at the intersection of contemporary multi-arts practice and community arts and cultural development. They work across art forms and disciplines, focusing on screen works, digital media, and emerging art forms. They nurture the ideas and the potential of art makers and future cultural leaders. They believe in ethical and self-determined storytelling, and the integrity of process; engaging deeply and meaningfully with artists, audiences, communities, and collaborators to produce and present new Australian work and cultural experiences that speak to the hyper-local of their home grounds in South West Sydney, and resonate far beyond.

Creative Plus Business 

Creative Plus Business is a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. They are industry specialists focussed on the diverse needs of a broad range of creative stakeholders. They have been sharing practical knowledge and experience through a range of services and online products since 2015. 

Accessibility information:

We will work with you to provide an accessible and safe workshop experience. Our venue is physically accessible and we will provide copies of all presentations. We encourage you to reach out to Katie Kinder on katie.kinder@penrith.city or +61 2 4732 7777 to discuss access needs. Please complete the accessibility questions in the registration form to ensure we understand your access needs.